Metal cell



Aug. l1, 1931. D. F. YoUNGBLooD A1,818,522

' METAL CELL Filed Sept. v9. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \mmbmmmbmbmbbbubmbm O Av QQDQQQ QQQQQQQQ ummm@ QQDQDQQQD DQQQQQQQ i Y-ugn il, 1931. D. F. YoUNGBLooD 1,818,522

METAL CELL Filed Sept. 9. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f/Z) mmmmmmr -xmnmmE mmmnmmf Hummm mmmmmfl 1mm mmmmf 11:11:: mmm'- 1m DI' 'In l' 1 INVENTORS ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 11, 1931 UNITED STATL METAL oiiL Application filed September 9, 192:92.:V iSe'r'al No. 391,486. l i' This invention relates to metalcells and, among other objects, aims to provide an improved simple, relatively cheap and durable metal cell for confining violently insane Il prisoners in prisons, asylums and other places of detention, so constructed and arranged as to prevent a prisoner from injuring himself, Without using soft padding, which has always been found so objectionl0 able on account of foul and unsanitary conditions caused by insane occupants, who cannot be controlled.

In the accompanying drawings showing one illustrative embodiment of the invention, Fig. l is a perspective view of the cell;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional vieW of the cell shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view.

Referring particularly to the drawings, the cell is there shown as being in-the shape of a cube, although the particular shape may be Widely varied. Herein, the cell is composed of relatively thin and resilient sheet metal Walls consisting of a bottom Wall or Hoor 10, side Walls 11 and a top Wall 12 all suitably secured to each other at their edges conveniently by electric Welding. The cell is preferably supported above the floor by legs 13 so that the floor can yield When 30 the prisoner jumps against it, and so that the floor of the room in which the cell is placed may be kept clean underneath the cell. Y

In this example, a hinged door 14, also of resilient sheet instal, is provided in one side Wall and has two pad locks 15 so that the prisoner cannot bend it outwardly at the top or bottom and escape.

To provide adequate ventilation and also sight openings, as Well as to increase the flexibility of the Walls, the side Walls, the top Wall and the door are all preferably perforated as shown, small square or rectangular openings being preferred though the perforations may be of other shapes. The ceiling is not more than siX feet and six inches high for adult prisoners so that they do not have sufficient room to hang themselves or to jump more than siX inches high.

The imperforate floor is here shown as being slightly inclined diagonally so as to provide drainage at one corner and a suitable trapped drain pipe 16 is connected thereto. The trap, of course, prevents sexvage gases from entering the cage. The cage can be thoroughly cleaned with an ordinary hose connection and Will dry quickly in any kind of Weather, and Will not hold dampness or odors like a padded cell.

From the foregoing description, it Will be seen that the improved cage can be built very cheaply of light Weight sheet metal of adequate strength and that the flat Walls Will yield sufliciently when a prisoner jumps against them, to prevent bodily injury, and observation shows that a prisoner cannot get into the stiff corners close enough for self injury. In short, it is absolutely safe and sanitary and in every Way far superior to the usual padded cells which have no means of sanitation and practically no ventilation, and soon become intolerable When exposed to the use of the violently insane.

Obviously, the present invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment thereof herein shown and described.

What I claim is 1. A cell for confining insane prisoners having thin readily yieldable sheet metal SU Walls and a resilient door so as to yield when the prisoner jumps or strikes against them Without injuring the prisoner.

2. A cell for confining violently insane Y prisoners comprising thin, readily yieldable Si) sheet metal bottom, top and side Walls; and a sheet metal door, some of said Walls being perforated to provide Ventilating and sight openings, and all of the Walls being suliiciently flexible and resilient to bulge out- Tl-).- Wardly when the prisoner jumps against them Without injuring the prisoner.

3. A rectangular cell for confining violently insane prisoners comprising, in combination, readily yieldable sheet metal bottom, side and top Walls, said side Walls and top Wall being perforated; a yieldable, sheet Y l metal door in one side Wall; Aand supporting legs at the corners of the cell to permit the metal bottom to yield. .100

4C. A portable metal cell for violently insane prisoners comprising readily yieldable sheet metal bottom and side Walls adapted to yield and prevent the prisoner from injuring himself upon jumping against or striking the Walls, said bottom Wall being inclined to provide drainage; a trapped drain conduit connected thereto; and supporting legs at the corners to permit the bottom to yield.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto affixed my signa; ture.

DAVID FRANKLIN .YOUNGBLOOD 

